Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…

FIRST the Persons whom the Lord Christ chose, called and designed unto this Work, were by these Gifts enabled thereunto. As no Mortal Men had of themselves any sufficiency for such a work, so the Persons particularly called unto it by Jesus Christ, lay under all the Disadvantages that any Persons could possibly be liable unto in such an undertaking. For, (1) They were all of them unlearned and ignorant, which the Jews took notice of, Acts 4. 13. and which the Gentiles despised them for. (2) They were Poor, and of no Reputation in the World, which made them contemned by all sorts of Persons. And (3) They seem in many instances to have been pusillanimous and fearful, which they all manifested when they so shamefully fled and left their Master in his Distresses, the chief of them also Swearing that he ⟨p. 210⟩knew him not. Now it is easily understood what great disadvantages these were unto the undertaking of so great a work as they were called unto; yea how impossible it was for them under these qualifications to do any thing in the pursuit of it. Wherefore by the Communication of these Gifts unto them, all these Impediments arising from themselves were removed, and they were furnished with Endowments of quite another nature, whereby they were eminently fitted with that Spiritual Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding which surpassed all the Wisdom that was of the World or in it, by what ways or means soever it were attained. They both had and declared a Wisdom which none of the Princes of this World were acquainted withal, 1 Cor. 2. Those who during the abode of Christ in the Flesh with them, could not understand a plain Parable, and were ever and anon at no small loss about the sense and meaning of their matter, having very low and carnal apprehensions about his Person, Work and Office, were now filled with a Knowledge of all Heavenly Mysteries, and with Wisdom to declare, manage and maintain them against all opposers. Kings, Princes, Rulers of Synagogues were now all one to them, they had a Mouth and Wisdom given them which none of their Adversaries could resist.

FIRST the Persons whom the Lord Christ chose, called and designed unto this Work, were by these Gifts enabled thereunto. As no Mortal Men had of themselves any sufficiency for such a work, so the Persons particularly called unto it by Jesus Christ, lay under all the Disadvantages that any Persons could possibly be liable unto in such an undertaking. For, (1) They were all of them unlearned and ignorant, which the Jews took notice of,